Black Fox Bob has rare animal stuffed after its sad death

Published:11:46Friday 26 August 2016

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A retired farm worker from Halifax who hit the headlines last year when capturing live footage of an extremely rare black fox in his garden has ensured immortality for the cherished animal, which has since died, by having it professionally stuffed and mounted.

Robert Burn – aka ‘Black Fox Bob’ – of Boothtown, was thought to be the first person ever film a black fox when he shot a video of it from his kitchen window, a story that captured the hearts of millions.

Sadly, black fox died in February this year after being hit by a car and Mr Burn recovered the dog fox’s body, which he then sent over to Irish taxidermist Ingrid Houwers in Bangor, County Down.

“A fox like him deserved to be stuffed, not just left to rot. I have such fond memories of him,” said Mr Burn.

However, his story does not end there – in fact, it’s ongoing.

Mr Burn explained: “Black fox’s vixen comes every day for a feed and in June this year she appeared with her cubs. From their colouring, there’s little doubt they are black fox’s offspring. In fact, one of the cubs looks more like a polecat. I’m pretty sure it’s the only one of its kind in the country.

“I feed them a mix of dog meat and dog biscuits. They absolutely love it. The vixen also knows there will be a trail of crumbs leading to two large lumps of cake mix, which she picks up and takes away for her cubs.”